Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has named the striker he believes the Blues should sign to replace Nicolas Jackson this summer.
Jackson started the season well, scoring nine goals in his first 15 matches, but his form has since dipped. The Senegal international has gone eight games without a goal and is now sidelined with an injury that will keep him out until at least late March.
Manager Enzo Maresca has backed Jackson publicly but has hinted that Chelsea could look to strengthen their forward line in the summer.
Mikel, who made 372 appearances for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017, believes Victor Osimhen should be the club’s priority target.
The Nigerian striker, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, was close to joining Chelsea last summer, but the deal collapsed due to personal terms. He is not expected to stay in Turkey beyond this season or return to Napoli, leaving the door open for a potential move to Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea has always been his club,” Mikel said of the 26-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in 26 games this season, on his Obi One Podcast.
"He has come out open to say it’s his childhood club, growing up, he’s always wanted to play for the club, his idol is Didier Drogba," he added.
Mikel also expressed his disappointment that a deal wasn’t completed last summer but remains hopeful it could still happen.
"He made it pretty clear that this is a club he wants to come to," he explained. "Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done last summer, but listen, you never know, I don’t think the door is shut completely."
John Obi Mikel on Jadon Sancho: "He’s deceived us"
Elsewhere in the same episode of his Obi One Podcast, Mikel also criticised Jadon Sancho, claiming the winger has "deceived" Chelsea fans with his performances this season.
Sancho joined Chelsea on an initial season-long loan from Manchester United last summer, with a permanent move to Stamford Bridge set to follow at the end of the campaign.
The Englishman made an impressive start, registering three assists in his first three Premier League starts. However, his form has since dipped, managing just one more assist and two goals in his last 16 appearances.
"Jadon Sancho, he came here and he’s deceived us with a few good games,’ Mikel said. "We thought, ‘Oh, now we’re getting the Jadon Sancho from [Borussia] Dortmund. He’s gone again. He’s gone. I don’t know what’s happened to Jadon. He’s disappeared off the grid."
"He takes the ball, he doesn’t go past players anymore, he doesn’t create chances anymore," he added. "He doesn’t help the team as much as he should be."
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